Sitting through a training camp is usually about as thrilling as watching a Zamboni race.
But for the Edmonton Oilers this year, what’s taking place here in September will not only have an effect on the outcome of this season, but could very well determine the foreseeable future of the franchise.
For a team coming off consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearances, the Oilers know a third-straight trip is far from guaranteed. In fact, it’s only happened once before in the history of the organization (1982-83 to 1984-85), and 15 times throughout the entirety of the NHL.
Assembling the building blocks to defy the odds and return for the third time in a row began in the off-season. And just how those pieces will be put together, not to mention which ones will stick around or be sent down to the farm, is being determined right here and now.
The only spots in the lineup set in stone, aside from Stuart Skinner in net, belong to the top two centres in the game right now, if not the top two players in the world. Everything outside of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl is up for grabs.
And that’s never been the case before in Edmonton. Not in any year the Oilers were in serious contention for a Cup run, anyway.
So, they need to get it right.
Right now.
Because it’s not just a streak of Cup Final appearances that is on the line. That shouldn’t matter. Not to this team. The past two results better be distant memories by now, so the focus can be on the here and now.
But it’s difficult to maintain that focus with something hanging over their heads. Something big. And it’s provided the backdrop behind everything the Oilers have done since July 1, which marked the date Connor McDavid entered the final year of an eight-year contract.
Since then, it’s been crickets insofar as news on any sort of extension. And the only thing that can mean is McDavid hasn’t seen enough in the way of roster deployment that would want to make him hitch his wagon to this blue and orange horse for the foreseeable future, as he enters the prime years of his already illustrious career — one that would be a crying shame to see end without the glint of a championship shine to it.
Win now, and McDavid couldn’t possibly leave. Fall again, even oh-so shortly, and the team could end up losing its biggest, most important piece since giving up the Great One smack dab in the dynasty days of the ’80s.
Just how much could the lineup change?
The defence and goaltending situations came into training camp all but set in stone. And that’s not something every past Oilers iteration could say.
It’s the forward lines that are being shaken up. And not just in the bottom six.
Just who will play alongside McDavid on the top line?
Draisaitl is a sure bet. But not a permanent one. Head coach Kris Knoblauch wasted no time putting his two top guns together in training camp scrimmages. But the nuclear option isn’t something the Oilers want to have to turn to all the time. And things are working best when the two best players are propelling Edmonton’s two top lines.
Zach Hyman will be out for the first few weeks with a wrist injury hanging over from the playoff run. But there is no guarantee his spot on McDavid’s right wing will still be there for him once he returns.
And Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has seen much more playing time at third-line centre than in his typical spot on McDavid’s left wing, so far.
Both wingers saw their numbers curtail to under 50 points last season, for the first time in three years.
Instead of hoping things don’t remain stagnant, the Oilers are taking serious looks at newcomers Andrew Mangiapane and David Tomasek.
G-MAN’S TAKE: And, hey, if it doesn’t work out, they can always go back to the usual suspects on McDavid’s wing at some point.
What about the second line?
As if it wasn’t impressive enough to see Draisaitl take steps to improving the defensive side of his game on the way to winning his first Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard trophy as the league-leading goal scorer.
But the way he was able to find the back of the net as often as he did while playing predominantly on a second line flanked by a turnstile of wingers coming in and out, is what made his season remarkable.
Sure, he spent time playing up with McDavid, as well as on the power play. But holding the fort singlehandedly on a second line, where he was also charged with helping bring along youngster Vasily Podkolzin, was above and beyond the call of duty.
G-MAN’S TAKE: Just imagine what he could do if the Oilers can offer him consistent support on his wings this season.
Anything to keep an eye on in the bottom six?
Aside from Nugent-Hopkins’ demotion, Trent Frederic has an opportunity to prove management wasn’t out to lunch when they re-upped him for eight years, despite having him come in on a hobbled ankle at the trade deadline.
If he is as tough as they say, combined with the offensive know-how of the dressing room’s elder statesman, then those two could potentially have the makings of an Oilers third line that might actually be able to compete with that of the Florida Panthers. Because what was there last time around didn’t even begin to cut the mustard.
As for blue-chip prospects Ike Howard and Matt Savoie, the Oilers are being smart by not putting too much on their rookie plates and thrusting them into a top-six role simply because there is no other choice. Knoblauch said they will likely remain in the bottom six where they can undergo the necessary growing pains without all the pressure of increased playing time and expectations.
G-MAN’S TAKE: Secondary scoring spelled the difference between victory and defeat in last year’s Cup Final. The Oilers recognize it and are taking steps to adapt. But let’s not kid ourselves, if someone consistently stands out over the next handful of pre-season games, they’re going to get a chance to shoot their shot on this team. And next to some big-time linemates, to boot.
Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) takes a break during the Edmonton Oilers’ training camp on Friday, September 19, 2025 in Edmonton.
But who goes and who stays in the end?
Knoblauch and his staff didn’t come into training camp with a lineup written in stone. They have an idea of what they’d like to see, sure. But their plan is adaptable, should anyone grab hold of the opportunity.
“There are going to be difficult decisions to make, a lot of guys are playing really well,” Knoblauch said. “You’ve got a lot of roles and responsibilities to think about. One player might be a little bit better, 5-on-5, but if the other player serves more of a purpose on faceoffs, penalty kill, physicality, speed — whatever we need a little more of — then maybe you kind of go with that.
“But I think we’ve got a lot of difficult decisions coming up, and we’re early in the pre-season schedule right now. And it usually plays out and you get a better feel, because usually somebody that you’re not expecting very much out of has a really strong game. But you want to see that over several games rather than just making that rash decision, because things are going to get a little more difficult. Things are getting a little faster, and then we’ll see if they’re ready for the regular season.”
G-MAN’S TAKE: Anyone else rather they just skip straight to the playoffs?
E-mail: gmoddejonge@postmedia.com
On Twitter: @GerryModdejonge
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